PuTTY

Get PuTTY

Current stable release

No-cost setup · Windows MSI · Linux and macOS packages

PuTTY is a no-cost, open-source terminal emulator and network client. Reach systems through interactive SSH and Telnet, plug into serial ports, or open raw TCP channels. The Windows MSI places putty.exe, puttygen.exe, pscp.exe, psftp.exe, plink.exe, pageant.exe, and companion programs in a single setup. For installation, your first SSH sign-in, and PuTTYgen basics, follow the Step-by-step guide on this site.

Why PuTTY stays in the toolbox

Capabilities that operators and engineers rely on when they need a dependable remote shell.

Hardened remote access:

• Connection modes for SSH-2 and SSH-1, Telnet, rlogin, serial lines, and raw TCP.
• Tunable ciphers, host-key checks, and X11 forwarding where the stack allows.

Stored sessions and refined UI:

• Labeled profiles that retain host, port, protocol, window size, and colour choices.
• Terminal emulation with adjustable fonts, colour maps, and scrollback depth.

Companion programs beside the client:

• PuTTYgen for RSA, DSA, ECDSA, and Ed25519 keys (.ppk plus import/export).
• PSCP and PSFTP for file work, Plink for batch jobs, Pageant as the SSH agent.

Beyond Windows desktops:

• Official Windows binaries; Linux packages such as putty-tools; macOS via Homebrew, MacPorts, or other distributions.

Reference notes

Where Windows keeps preferences, typical package-manager one-liners, and checks before approving a host. Choose Copy block to lift text into documentation or a terminal.

Windows registry (sessions and host keys)

On Windows, PuTTY saves settings under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SimonTatham\PuTTY. Named sessions live in Sessions; cached SSH host keys in SshHostKeys. Viewing these paths from a normal or elevated prompt remains read-only.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SimonTatham\PuTTY
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SimonTatham\PuTTY\Sessions
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SimonTatham\PuTTY\SshHostKeys

REM Example: export subtree for backup (adjust path)
reg export "HKCU\Software\SimonTatham\PuTTY" putty-settings.reg /y

Unix-style data folder

On Linux and other Unix ports, PuTTY typically stores random seed data and session files under ~/.putty (layout may differ by port and release).

~/.putty/
# Example: list PuTTY data directory
ls -la ~/.putty/

Package-manager install lines

# Debian / Ubuntu (client + PuTTYgen CLI)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y putty putty-tools
# Windows Package Manager (when available in your catalog)
winget install PuTTY.PuTTY

PuTTY binaries delivered via Windows MSI

putty.exe      — SSH/Telnet/serial client
puttygen.exe   — key generator
pscp.exe       — SCP file copy
psftp.exe      — SFTP client
plink.exe      — command-line Plink
pageant.exe    — SSH authentication agent
puttytel.exe   — Telnet-only client

First-connection checklist

Verify the host name or IP, port (22 for SSH by default), and protocol. On the first handshake, align the host-key fingerprint with what your operator publishes. Keep private keys passphrase-protected and use Pageant or agent forwarding only on hosts you control.

Open PuTTY → enter Host Name
→ Port 22, Connection type SSH
→ Session: save profile (optional)
→ Open → accept host key if verified
→ Log in (password or key)

Favor builds from the official PuTTY project that ship checksums. If you use mirrors or app stores, validate signatures whenever provided. See PuTTYgen for SSH key workflows.

Interface gallery

Select a thumbnail to zoom; arrow keys move between shots:

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